Rio Hunter Black personal statement — File 26-1099

Please select the top three areas in which you have working knowledge, strong interest, and/or experience: Public Outreach and Engagement Community Health Somerville Community-Based Organizations or Advocacy Groups Statement of Interest: Having come of age in Somerville as a community leader, climate and health equity activist, and student of the life sciences, I am profoundly interested in contributing to our city’s climate resilience by contributing to the Climate Action Commission. Joining CAC is an opportunity to continue the city-wide advocacy I initiated in high school as part of the SustainaVille Ambassador team and as a founder of the Somerville Youth chapter of the Sunrise Movement. In particular, I am excited to advance projects which promote community health equity and mitigate impacts from the emerging climate-related public health crisis. As an EMT in the greater Boston area, I see public health education, particularly surrounding respiratory diseases, as a potential focus area for addressing the current impacts of climate change and air pollution in Somerville. To support CAC's work, I will provide logistical expertise and public outreach skills from my experience as an activist organization leader. I will also bring insights as a biology and medical scientist, with unique perspectives on local community health and the ways health systems are impacted by climate change. Lastly, as the daughter of an immigrant and an active life-long member of the immigrant communities in Somerville, I will bring Spanish proficiency and cultural awareness to my work with the CAC. My family's experiences with immigrant rights programs and community service intiatives in Somerville have inspired to take purposeful and empathetic action for climate justice. I am excited for the opportunity to support climate resilience in Somerville by joining the team at CAC!